A Collaborative Model of a Creative Living District: Tourism, Identity, Community Engagement and Benefit Balance in Songwat District

Abstract

This study aims to develop a creative tourism model to promote local economic development in the Songwat area, a historic district in Bangkok undergoing cultural and commercial transformation. Although Songwat has recently emerged as a vibrant creative corridor, research gaps remain in understanding how cultural identity, community participation, and stakeholder collaboration collectively shape its sustainable development. To address these gaps, this study proposes a Collaborative Creative Living District Model that integrates four core dimensions: tourism experience, local identity, community engagement, and balanced benefit distribution. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing field observation, in-depth interviews, participatory mapping, and document analysis. Participants included residents, cultural practitioners, tourism operators, creative entrepreneurs, community leaders, and visitors. Data were analyzed through thematic coding, pattern matching, and model synthesis. The findings reveal that creative tourism activities, such as craft workshops, heritage storytelling, and cultural walking routes, serve as catalysts for economic revitalization by generating new income opportunities and attracting diverse visitor groups. Local identity, particularly Songwat’s Thai–Chinese heritage and architectural character, plays a critical role in enhancing authenticity and reinforcing destination distinctiveness. Community engagement strengthens cultural continuity and fosters co-creation, while collaboration mechanisms among stakeholders enable adaptive management of tourism growth. The proposed model demonstrates that sustainable creative district development requires not only economic gains but also equitable benefit sharing, cultural preservation, and inclusive participation. The study contributes to creative tourism scholarship by offering an integrated framework applicable to other culturally rich urban districts seeking balanced and community-centered development.